The 2012 Colors of the Year, recently named by AkzoNobel and Pantone LLC, are in the orange and red families, indicating an emphasis on "lively" and "vivacious" colors for the coming year.

Orange-to-red colors will be huge in 2012, according to the recent proclamations of "Color of the Year" by two leading authorities on the subject: AkzoNobel, the world's largest paint and color manufacturer, and Pantone LLC, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries.

AkzoNobel, whose paint brands include Glidden, Dulux, Devoe, Ralph Lauren, CIL, Sico, Martha Stewart Living and others, has named Terra Cotta Rose, a blushing, lively and juicy red as its 2012 Color of the Year. Migrating from a citrus yellow, the 2011 Color of the Year, AkzoNobel’s color experts believe that color trends overall are “progressing into something more confident and robust” as we head into 2012, with “possibilities” selected as the dominant theme.

This is in keeping with a AkzoNobel's color trend analysis, which identified take-charge optimism as a major influence for 2012. Drawing on a variety of cultural sources and influences from art, technology, nature and popular culture, AkzoNobel’s “color psychologists” winnow down the colors expected to be in vogue in the following year and through that process determined the “Color of the Year”—in this case, Terra Cotta Rose—as the one color most likely to resonate across AkzoNobel’s diverse global markets.

The naming of the Color of the Year from PANTONE® is a highly anticipated event, and for 2012 the color authority has given that honor to 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, a vivacious, enticing hue. The 2011 color of the year, PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle, encouraged us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike. In the home fashion area, interior spaces can be energized by using Tangerine Tango-patterned home accessories. Pillows, bedspreads and tabletop accessories in this high-impact hue add spice to any room. Or incorporate Tangerine Tango appliances and personal electronics for an unexpected pop of color. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Tangerine Tango for a dynamic burst of energy in the kitchen, entryway or hallway. For more information on the Color of Year, visit the Pantone website.